Extension-top stepladder



I. F. PARKINSON. EXTENSION TOP STEPLADDER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23, I920.

mzwm,

Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

1 I -INCII/ENTOR. Y W ATTORNEY.

EXTENSION-TOP STEPLAIDDER.

Application filed September 23, 1920.

step ladder with a folding top adapted to be unfolded and extended so as to provide a rigid top of consiiilerable area, when the The invention contemplates an improved ladder is unfolded a d set up for use, and adapted to be folded upon the ladder when the other folding parts of the ladder are folded up.

In this specification and the annexed drawing, the invention is illustrated in the form ronsidered to be the lest, but it is to be understoml that the invention is not limited to such form, because it may be embodied in other forms, and it is also to be inn'lei'stood that in and by the claims following the description it is desired to cover the invention in whatsoever form it may be embodied.

Referring to the annexed drawing, which fo..ms a part of this specification:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a step ladder embodying my invention.

Fig. is a side view of the ladder folded up.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the ladder. Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of the ladder.

The ladder comprises a step member 1 with steps 2, a supporting member 3 for supporting the step member, a top 1, and interlocking braces 5 for bracing the step and supporting members, which parts are common to and constitute an ordinary step ladder.

My invention comprises a top extension member 6 and a supporting member 7 for supporting said extension top member in the manner to be described. The extension top member 6 is hinged to the top by means of hinges 8 so that said member may be unfolded into alignment with the top 4: for use as shown in Fig. 1 and folded when it is not in use as shown in Fig. 2. The hinges 8 each comprise two angle iron members 9 and 10. The members 9 comprise flanges 12 and 13 to which are respectively nailed or otherwise secured to side rails 14; of the Specification of Letters-Patent.

Patented AW 8, 1922.

Serial No. 412,417.

step member 1 and the under side of top 4;, whereby the top and step member are secured together. The supporting member Sashinged at 15 to the flanges 12 of said hinge members 9 so that the step and supporting members 1 and 3 may be folded to gether or unfolded. The members 10 comprise flanges 16 and 17. The flanges 16 of the members 10 are pivoted at 18 to the flanges 12 of the member 9, and the flanges 17 of the member 10 are nailed or otherwise secured to the under side of the top extension member 6. The supporting member 7 comprises side rails 20, horizontal connecting rails 21, 22 and 23 which are secured to and connect said side rails together, and diagonal braces 25 which are secured to and brace the side rails. The side rails 20 of the supporting member 7 are hinged to the rear of the ladder supporting member 3 by link hinges 30, so that the member 7 may be unfolded from the member 3 to support the top' extension member 6 or folded upon the member 3 when the top extension member is not in use. The lower ends of the rails 20 of .ne supporting member 7 are adapted to rest on the ground and the upper ends of said rails are adapted to rest against the under side of the top extension member (5 near the rear edge thereof to support said top extension member in extended position as shown in Fig. 1. The members 10 of the hinges 8 are Pl'OVlClCCldVlbll notches adapted to receive the upper edge of the connecting rail to lock the supporting member 7 in supporting position under the top extension member 6. The joint between the top at and the top extension member 6 is a loose joint so that said extension member may be swung upwardly slightly out of alignment with said top to facilitate the engagement and disengagement of the notches 35 and rail 23, as will be more fully described hereinafter. The hinge 8, owing to its unique construction, serves several purposes, to wit: hinges the top extension member 6 to the top 4, forms a securing element for securing the top 4; to the step member 1, forms a hinge element for hinging the supporting member 3 to the step member 1 and forms a locking element for locking the supporting member 7 in position to support the top extension member 6 in extended position. Moreover the said hinges brace the top part of the ladder and give the top and the extension member great shown in Fig. 1.

strength so that they will sustain a very heavy load. The supporting member 7 and extension member 6 in addition totheir particular functions serve to reinforce the ladder and make it generally stronger than ordinarily.

In order to set up the ladder in position for use when it is folded up as shown in Fig. 2, the supporting member 3 is first swung on the hinge and said member and the step member 1 are unfolded until the braces 5 interlock and brace said members so that the member 3 supports the step member l in position for use in the same manner as in an ordinary step ladder, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The braces 5 each comprise two members pivotally connected and provided with hooks at their inner ends for interlocking engagement; The top extension member 6 is then unfolded from the ladder and swung outwardly and upwardly on the pivots 18 into a position slightly above the horizontal plane of the top 4h The member 7 is then unfolded and swung outwardly on the hinge '30 into a vertical position as- The top extension member 6 is then swung down on the hinges 8 until it rests in. alignment with the top 1 and upon the upper ends of the side rails of supporting member 7 and the notches in the hinges receive andinterlock with the upper edge ofthe rail 523 as shown in Fig. 1, whereby the top extension member is supported firmly in extended position by the supporting member 7 and said supporting member is locked in supporting position by the hinges 8.

In order to fold up the ladder, the top extension member 6 is first swung upwardly until the notches 35 disengage the rail 23; the supporting member 7 is then folded upon the supporting member 3; the extension member 6 is then folded upon the supporting member 7 the interlocking braces 5 are then unlocked and the supporting member 3 and step member 1 are folded together and the ladder is then completely folded as shown in Fig. 2.

What I claim is:

A step ladder comprising a step member havingsiderails, angle irons each having 'one of its flanges depending downwardly and secured to the top of one ofsaid rails, a stationary top member secured to the other flanges of said angle iron and normally disposed in a horizontal position, brace members having pivotal connection with the downwardly depending flange portions of the angle irons and arranged adjacent the upper ends of the side rails, an extension top member, angle irons having their horizontal flanges connected with the extension top and pivotal connection between the inner ends of the angle irons carried by the stationary top and the angle irons on the extension top, supporting members for the extension top having their upper ends detachably engaged with the downwardly depending flanges of the angle irons carried by the extension top and their lower ends arranged flush with the lower ends of the brace members for the step portion and stationary top and pivotal connection between the lower ends of said brace and supporting members whereby said step member and its braces, together with the top extension and its supporting members are folded onto each other when not in use and folding braces connecting the step portion and its brace members adapted to be normally disposed in horizontal alignment when said folding "brace members are in an operative position and folded lnwardly toward each other when not in use. I

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto, set my hand at San Francisco, California, this lth day of August 1920.

JOHN F. PARKINSON.

In presence of- R. R. PARKINSON, LINCOLN V. JoI-INsoN. 

